Archive for August, 2013

Since it’s officially Day 1 at Eurobike, We thought we would give our real fans a lil sneak peak before the gates opened on what we’ve been working on this year. A few of the new models we are unveiling including the only Prototype of the completely redesigned TR450 with a fresh ANVL Components trim kit!

While the new Pivot Mach 6 uses the dw-link rear suspension, this version is optimized for longer travel and signals a big departure that isn’t like anything else in the current Pivot line. Designed around the use of 27.5-inch wheels, it is built with the singular purpose of riding high-speed aggressive terrain (both up and down). The Mach 6 features a new generation of the long travel dw-link design. That rear suspension delivers 6.1-inches of travel, a 13.6-inch bottom bracket height, longer top tubes, lower standover, and a 66 degrees head tube angle, built around a carbon frame.

6.1-inches travel from the next generation dw-link suspension design with position-sensitive anti-squat.

All New upper linkage design provides additional control over the suspension curve.

This new Mach 6 linkage design also eliminates the rear shock bushing; replacing it with two large Enduro max cartridge bearings. This is compatible with most shocks so it does not require a proprietary shock design.

The new Mach 6 linkage design was one of the keys to achieving short 16.9-inch chainstays and 6.1 inches of rear travel while clearing 27.5” X 2.35” tires.

This is a very cool trick. By rotating the shock body (1), Pivot connects it to a wishbone link (2) to the dw-link rear suspension (3). Where other designs have used a similar link, it required a proprietary shock (a shock designed just for one model). Pivot’s trick, one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas, allows the Mach 6 owner the freedom to swap to pretty much any production shock down the road.

Pivot team manager and DH Pro Bernard Kerr received the first production version of their 2014 frame – air-freighted from the factory – and it is a huge departure from the Phoenix it will soon replace. Bernard built it up immediately and was returning from his first hot lap on the bike when we caught up with him. The new chassis is designed specifically around 27.5 inch wheels, for starters, and it features X-Fusion suspension front and rear. Bernard said the graphics and component spec was not production and that Pivot was still settling on a proper name for the bike. He was impressed with the bike’s performance from the start and was keen to get back on the mountain. The following is as much of the story as we could piece together in the brief time we had to get some spy photos.

The profile of Pivot’s new DH bike is much simpler than that of the Phoenix. The dual-link rear suspension is retained, but the shock is now driven by a large yoke and mounts to the down tube instead of at the bottom bracket junction, presumably to flatten out the suspension’s leverage curve. The long-stroke X-Fusion Vector HLR shock suggests that the suspension also has a lower leverage rate than the Phoenix as well.

What We Know About the Frame Design

The new chassis is longer, lower and slacker than its predecessor. Reportedly, the top tube is a half-inch longer, the bottom bracket is slightly lower than the Phoenix, and the head angle is slacked out to 62-degrees. The seat tube is a stub, welded to a large, two-piece welded forging that carries the pivot locations for the rear suspension and also forms the bottom bracket shell. Pivot pioneered the technique of manufacturing critical parts of the frame from thin, matching halves that are then welded together to form a lightweight structure with precise locations for key components. The dropouts are bolted to the rear suspension and the left-side dropout incorporates the brake caliper mount – all suggesting that a 26-inch-wheel option may be available in the form of a different shock and dropout combination. The through-axle screws into a machined nut on the drive side that also integrates the derailleur hanger. Up front, the tapered head tube has no form of adjustable cup, which seems to be a growing trend now that slack steering geometry has moved from trend to science. Cable routing is external, but all cables and hoses run cleanly through a tunnel on the down tube formed by the shock mount. As a nod to the future, the down tube has a port to route a Reverb Stealth-type dropper seatpost.

(Clockwise) A look at new DH bike’s oversized suspension linkage. No news on the bearing strategy, although Pivot is a fan of large ball bearings and wide, rigid pivot locations. Unlike the similar yoke setup that Specialized uses, which requires a dedicated shock, Pivot’s yoke arrangement attaches to a conventional shock eye, which means that the customer has more options for future upgrades. The last run of derailleur housing is routed through the right chainstay to keep it out of trouble. The bolt-on dropout incorporates the brake caliper mount.

Suspension Notes

Mechanically, the suspension linkage creates an instant center that is high and forward at the beginning of the suspension travel, suggesting that the new configuration is intended to perform better than its predecessor on square-edged bumps. Rear travel is listed as 207 millimeters. The nature of the suspension curves was not known, but the bike feels very plush through the first half of its travel. X-fusion is the suspension sponsor of the Pivot Team, so we got an up close and personal look at the new RV1 DH fork. The lowers looked like production items, although both crowns were CNC-machined prototypes – a tipoff that the fork offset was adjusted for 27.5-inch wheels at the crown and not by altering the dropout castings. Bernard says that he and the other team members have been impressed with the performance of X-Fusion’s shock and fork, and also by the support that the X-Fusion factory has provided them.

A few details of the X-Fusion RV1 DH fork showing the prototype machined crowns. Spank Components is a co-sponsor of the team, so the direct-mount stem, handlebar and prototype DH rims were all Spank’s Spike-level items.

We were not told who was going to be racing the new Pivot – either Austin Warren or Bernard Kerr – but from all accounts, the bike is ready to do battle in its present form, and with Whistler’s trail network in rougher shape than it normally is at this time of the year, the big wheels should play a supporting role in the race this weekend. Pinkbike will keep you updated as we get more information on Pivot’s new DH weapon. – RC

2013 Cratoni C-Smart Helmet
The advantages of this all-round helmet become clear when it is worn. The Cratoni C-Smart Mountain Bike Helmet impresses with the high level of comfort and the extremely streamlined design. That certain look of understatement in elegant colours makes this light helmet an ideal companion for travel in urban areas or a weekend trip on a trekking bike.

2013 Cratoni C-Stream Helmet
12 air vents, Inmold construction, a removable visor and an insect protective net speak for itself. Due to our 360° adjustment system and the additional available XXL size (59–65 cm) perfect fit is guaranteed. A particular feature of the C-STREAM is its already mounted rear light with a transparent cover against rain and dirt.

2013 Cratoni C-Tracer Cycle Helmet
The C-Tracer is THE alternative for ambitions hobby-bikers with an unbeatable prize. 21 oversized vents, detachable visor and state-of-the art design make the C-Tracer an ideal companion on your way to the peak. High quality Coolmax® pads allow optimal wearing comfort also on the way back to the valley.

2013 Cratoni Rocket Helmet
The ROCKET is one of the lightest Mountainbike helmets CRATONI has ever developed. The fact alone makes the helmet the first choice for demanding cross country and marathon bikers. Mountain bikers can keep a cool head on hard climbs thanks to the good ventilation performance and the breathable COOLMAX inner lining. A polycarbonate reinforcement at the rear of the helmet make up for additional safety. The style and hip design follow current trends to strike the right tone among mountain bike enthusiasts.